What is with glider pilots...

[CFR]

"If flying were the language of man, Soaring would be its poetry." ~ Anonymous

[Old Dog Flying]

I flew gliders out of Namao and a private strip near Wetaskawin and as has been noted a good hat is necessary unless you enjoy second degree burns to your brain bucket.

CS, let me see your 421 climb to 20000' with both engines shut down then return to your starting point for a smooth landing.

Barney

[Shiny Side Up]

a good hat is necessary unless you enjoy second degree burns to your brain bucket.

While this has been put forward a few times here, lots of other pilots also fly under bubble canopies and don't wear these hats, or feel the need to have a hat all the time. When I've flown gliders, I also haven't been "Damn! I wish I had a hat!" Unless...

Wait! I don't need a hat because I have hair! Query: Is there a connection between glider flying and baldness?

Either way, why this style of hat? I understand why one would use it fishing, but there are other hats that should serve for glider pilots too that might be more reasonable if indeed sun is the problem.

Perhaps this:



After all, the traditional boonie or bucket hat still has a somewhat upward view restricting brim (also discounting that purpose as opposed to a ball cap) the beret for glider pilots would seem to be a much better fit. Keeps sun off yet no brim to restrict view. Plus, if gliding is like poetry, then doesn't it just scream to wear a beret whilst doing?

Or maybe one of these:



Favoured by cyclists, it seems a natural choice. Dual purpose since most glider guys also like to ride one speed bikes around the field. Small brim, turned up of course to preserve the upwards view! Also, like the beret very Euro, but less french since I could see where the Germans would have objections.

Wait, what about one of these?



Even has its own slip indicator!

No? Too prop comic for you guys?

Sure I get it, this has got to be the best for gliding guys then:



Three you are, head coverage and no brim to block the view. Even a symbol of your propellor envy.

[Chuck Finley]

You also want to protect your ears,nose and neck because glider pilots, unlike "real airplane" pilots, don't rely on underpaid and abused rampies to move airplane around after they landed. Instead of waiting in the fancy FBO drinking coffee and talking about how great they are and how happy they are to be making that famous 500, they hangout on the flight line and help other pilots. Sometime, spending the whole day under the sun.

[iflyforpie]

You also want to protect your ears,nose and neck because glider pilots, unlike "real airplane" pilots, don't rely on underpaid and abused rampies to move airplane around after they landed.

I DEFINITELY beg to differ.....

[Chuck Finley]

Pie, there are always exception and i don't like to be stereotyping, but it seems that's the Avcanada way.

So if the hat fits....

See that's funny cuz this thread is about hats ha!!

[Shiny Side Up]

You also want to protect your ears,nose and neck because glider pilots, unlike "real airplane" pilots, don't rely on underpaid and abused rampies to move airplane around after they landed.

I DEFINITELY beg to differ.....

You and me both Pie. But you know, those things without half a ton of engine and fuel are totally harder to push around, so you need a hat to protect you while you do it. I think I'm going to stick with my theory that gliding causes balding. After all, look at these guys.



Look at those full heads of hair!

[AirFrame]

As for aerobatics; while there isn't much competitive activity in Canadain there are some very impressive airshow routines, including surface level ribbon cuts and its all done without the aid of an internal combustion engine.

Self-launched, eh?

[iflyforpie]

Actually, the funny thing is..... I'll push around the 337 fully fueled (about a ton and a half) by myself.

I got a pretty full head of hair too.... had to get the 'summer trim' twice now. I never wear hats.

[photofly]

As for aerobatics; while there isn't much competitive activity in Canadain there are some very impressive airshow routines, including surface level ribbon cuts and its all done without the aid of an internal combustion engine.

Self-launched, eh?

Bungees. Big ones.

[RatherBeFlying]

The bucket hat helps keep the sun from coming directly at your eyes; so helps with lookout.

The cowboy hat is too big. I've been front seat ballast for a guy doing his rear seat checkout and I have to put my cowboy hat in my lap. The gib can see a bit better around a bucket hat.

The dome on the top of most baseball hats is a hazard to canopies. After a few knocks on the noggin in turbulence you learn to really tighten your straps.

[CFR]

As for aerobatics; while there isn't much competitive activity in Canadain there are some very impressive airshow routines, including surface level ribbon cuts and its all done without the aid of an internal combustion engine.

Self-launched, eh?

Bungees. Big ones.

Yup(seriously!!) and winches, auto tow and aerotow. Self launching with retractable engine pods, or fixed engines with fully feathered props after launch is also possible.

[GyvAir]

Bungees. Big ones.

Yup(seriously!!) and winches, auto tow and aerotow. Self launching with retractable engine pods, or fixed engines with fully feathered props after launch is also possible.

And I'll wager that every one of those methods involved an internal combustion engine at some point, to provide the launch energy, even if it was pushed off a cliff. I guess an electric winch is conceivable, taking its power from a nuclear power station. Or dropped from a balloon, in which case just as much fuel, just burned in a heater instead.

[CFR]

Bungees. Big ones.

Yup(seriously!!) and winches, auto tow and aerotow. Self launching with retractable engine pods, or fixed engines with fully feathered props after launch is also possible.

And I'll wager that every one of those methods involved an internal combustion engine at some point, to provide the launch energy, even if it was pushed off a cliff. I guess an electric winch is conceivable, taking its power from a nuclear power station. Or dropped from a balloon, in which case just as much fuel, just burned in a heater instead.

All of them do, except bungee. You can stretch it by hand, or horse if you wanted to, but of course a vehicle would be best. Bungee launches are rarely used at all these days with winch and aerotowing being the predominant methods. Fuel burn is minimal however. On aerotow we are averaging 8 minutes (that's including tow plane descent and landing) per tow to 3000 feet less to 2000 if a contest is on. The best flight last year was nearly 6 hours. Thats a pretty good return for 8 minutes of power.

[azimuthaviation]

Does the thought ever come across to the people who post here that you take yourselves, and what you do (including your hobbies) far too seriously?

[iflyforpie]

Physician, heal thyself.....

[azimuthaviation]

I never made the claim that I do anything exceptional or a great public service or saving lives like so many people here do. Heck I dont even find what I do to be all that interesting most days. I did swing by the air show in Salmon Arm last week, there were a couple Pitts specials and the usual doing their thing. Had to see what the fuss was all about, after reading about it here all these years. I left after a few minutes and asked for my money back. And I didnt even pay to get in.

[Pop n Fresh]

Did you get money from them and were you wearing a hat?

[Shiny Side Up]

Does the thought ever come across to the people who post here that you take yourselves, and what you do (including your hobbies) far too seriously?

You're just jealous since your only hobbies seem to be Lebenese History and invoking Godwins in internet forums. At least the glider guys have a funny hat.

[azimuthaviation]

Funny how often people feel the need to bring up my heritage at any irrelevant opportunity and at the same time accusing me of doing the same. Who keeps bringing it up?

At least the glider guys have a funny hat.

And we dont??

[trey kule]

Actually, I think the hats are great. The camaraderie amongst glider people is something that many of us in aviation should try to mimic instead of making fun of them.
It is good to see people just enjoying aviation rather than clawing their way to the "big show" and then complaining about the WAWCON.

I havent flown a glider in decades. Love to do it again. Maybe even buy the hat

[Shiny Side Up]

And we dont??

I didn't know Godwin invokers had a dress code.

[Koalemos]

This thread is hilarious, and contains a high amount of inanity.

Biker's wear leather to avoid road rash when they spill, and wear other stuff 'cause they happen to like how it looks (or for association). No, I'm not a biker, not my thing.

People wear hats to keep themselves from frying. And getting cancer. They even wear them when others don't approve of their fashion style. Sometimes they even do it 'cause they like the style or the association. My dad wore a Tilley hat for a while, he wasn't a glider pilot or fisherman. I suspect he liked the shade, and gave zero Fs as to what others thought.

Contrary to popular belief, not everyone speaks english as a first language. Not even pilots. Some happen to have an accent, how novel. Some people talk like . Yeagar, even when they don't know it.

Glider pilots are still pilots even though they don't go to Toronto. I suspect that they simply like gliding, and happen to be piloting an aircraft in the process. I'm not sure why that's inferior to doing a cross country (IFR or VFR), or aerobatics, as some people implied, and others inferred. Would you use a glider to shoot an ILS approach in minimums? No. Would you use a GLASS equipped (insert whatever here) to catch some thermals for a few hours? No. Last time I checked they were still pilots, using different tools, with a different skill set, for different purposes.

Relax people, remember to breathe.

[Xander]

According to the NASA website, shuttle commanders were required to wear that hat during re-entry and landing.

[Colonel Sanders]

Biker's wear leather to avoid road rash

Sure they do.



Those are totally functional costumes, designed
for maximum protection in the event of an
accident (no exposed skin) and for maximum
visibility from cagers (black).

No costumes here, no sir!

It's pretty simple. When you play dressup, expect
some razzing.